Székesfehérvár was the coronation city of medieval Hungary — for five centuries, kings were crowned and buried here. That history is still visible in the compact old town, where baroque façades line pedestrianised streets and the ruins of the royal basilica sit in an open-air archaeological garden right in the centre.
Today it is a mid-sized city about an hour southwest of Budapest by train, prosperous and well-kept but largely overlooked by tourists. That is part of its appeal. The main square, Városház tér, and the surrounding streets are handsome and walkable, with enough museums, churches, and café terraces to fill a good half-day. The Hiemer House and the Cathedral of Saint Stephen are worth seeking out, and on the eastern edge of town the eccentric Bory Castle is one of the strangest pieces of architecture in Hungary.
The city makes an easy day trip from Budapest, or a quiet overnight stop if you are heading toward Lake Balaton.